Peter Copley
Peter Copley (20 May 1915 โ 7 October 2008) was an English television, film and stage actor. Copley was born in Bushey, Hertfordshire, son of the printmakers, John Copley and Ethel Gabain. After changing his mind about joining the Royal Navy, he studied at the Old Vic School and started out as a stage actor in 1932. He made his first film appearance in 1934, going on to play a wide variety of characters from the villainous to the meek and mild. In 1946, he appeared on stage in "Cyrano de Bergerac" at the New Theatre in London. In 1951 he appeared at the Duchess Theatre in London's West End in the comedy play The Happy Family by Michael Clayton Hutton. TV credits include: Thorndyke, Danger Man, The Saint, The Avengers, The Forsyte Saga, The Troubleshooters, The Champions, Department S, Doomwatch, Z-Cars, Fall of Eagles, Survivors, Bless Me, Father (episode "A Legend Comes to Stay"), Father Brown (episode "The Curse of the Golden Cross"), Doctor Who (in the serial "Pyramids of Mars"), Sutherland's Law, Tales of the Unexpected, Miss Marple (episode "Nemesis"), Lovejoy, The Bill, Cadfael, The Diamond Brothers: South by South East and One Foot in the Grave. Copley continued to act well into his nineties. A resident of Bristol, Copley was awarded an Honorary Degree of Master of Arts by the University of the West of England in 2001.
Known For
Credits
- 2008 ยทThe Colour of Magicas Greyhald Spold
- 2005 ยทRiot at the Riteas Patron
- 2005 ยทOliver Twistas Dining Hall Master
- 2005 ยทKingdom of Heavenas Old Pilgram (director's cut)
- 2003 ยทThe Last Detectiveas Colonel Colin Ingate
- 1999 ยทJanice Beard 45 WPMas Sean's Father
- 1997 ยทJonathan Creekas Eric
- 1994 ยทCadfaelas Abbot Heribert
- 1992 ยทA Dangerous Man: Lawrence After Arabiaas Maitland
- 1990 ยทOne Foot In the Graveas
- 1989 ยทAgatha Christie's Poirotas Burgoyne
- 1988 ยทThe Importance of Being Earnestas Gribsby
- 1987 ยทEmpire of the Sunas British Prisoner
- 1987 ยทNever Say Dieas
- 1987 ยทThe Trial of Klaus Barbieas Frossard
- 1986 ยทCasualtyas Dan Woods
- 1986 ยทCasualtyas Hugh Phipps
- 1986 ยทKing of the Ghettoas Vicar
- 1986 ยทLovejoyas Harold Richards
- 1984 ยทThe Billas
- 1984 ยทAndrocles and the Lionas Caesar
- 1981 ยทUnited Kingdomas Commissioner
- 1981 ยทThe Chinese Detectiveas
- 1980 ยทLittle Lord Fauntleroyas Reverend Muldaur
- 1980 ยทRabbit Pie Dayas The Colonel
- 1979 ยทChurchill and the Generalsas Gen. Sir John Dill
- 1979 ยทTales of the Unexpectedas Man at Railway Station
- 1977 ยทThe Black Pantheras
- 1977 ยทAnna Kareninaas
- 1976 ยทThe New Avengersas Prof. Waterlow
- 1976 ยทBill Brandas Cedric Maddocks
- 1976 ยทShout at the Devilas Admiral Howe
- 1975 ยทHennessyas Home Secretary
- 1975 ยทDoctor Who: Pyramids of Marsas Dr. Warlock
- 1975 ยทSurvivorsas Dr. Bronson
- 1975 ยทSkyas
- 1975 ยทThe Venturersas
- 1974 ยทFather Brownas
- 1974 ยทFall of Eaglesas Bethmann-Hollweg
- 1973 ยทBeyond Our Meansas Dr. Charteris
- 1973 ยทGawain and the Green Knightas Pilgrim
- 1972 ยทArthur of the Britonsas
- 1972 ยทThat's Your Funeralas 1st Funeral Director
- 1972 ยทCrown Courtas Sir Peter Cutforth
- 1972 ยทCrown Courtas His Honour Judge Edmonds
- 1972 ยทWhat Became of Jack and Jill?as Dickson
- 1972 ยทThe Regimentas
- 1971 ยทJusticeas Wigmore
- 1971 ยทYou're Only Young Twiceas
- 1970 ยทJane Eyreas John
- 1970 ยทDoomwatchas Admiral Sir Richard Tranton
- 1970 ยทManhuntas Martin
- 1969 ยทPaul Templeas
- 1969 ยทDepartment Sas The Auctioneer
- 1969 ยทWalk a Crooked Pathas
- 1969 ยทMosquito Squadronas Mr. Scott
- 1969 ยทTower of London: The Innocentas Archbishop
- 1969 ยทThe Gold Robbersas Asst. Commissioner Farr
- 1969 ยทFrankenstein Must Be Destroyedas Principal
- 1968 ยทThe Shoes of the Fishermanas English Cardinal
- 1968 ยทThe Championsas Antrobus
- 1968 ยทThe Expertas Hillard
- 1967 ยทQuatermass and the Pitas Howell
- 1967 ยทCallanas
- 1966 ยทThe Devil's Eggshellas The Home Secretary
- 1966 ยทDon't Utter a Noteas Vicar
- 1966 ยทSoftly, Softlyas
- 1965 ยทBBC Play of the Monthas The Home Secretary
- 1965 ยทStranger in the Familyas Charles Wilson
- 1965 ยทHelp!as Jeweller
- 1965 ยทThe Knack... and How to Get Itas Picture Owner
- 1964 ยทThe July Plotas General Friedrich Olbright
- 1964 ยทRedcapas
- 1964 ยทThe Wednesday Playas
- 1964 ยทKing and Countryas Colonel
- 1964 ยทThorndykeas
- 1964 ยทThe Third Secretas Dr Leo Whitset
- 1963 ยทDoctor Whoas Dr. Warlock
- 1962 ยทThe Saintas Don Morland
- 1962 ยทZ-Carsas
- 1961 ยทVictimas Paul Mandrake
- 1961 ยทThe Avengersas
- 1961 ยทThe Avengersas Sparshott
- 1960 ยทMaigretas Xavier Marton
- 1959 ยทNo Hiding Placeas
- 1959 ยทMystery in the Mineas
- 1958 ยทRockets Galoreas Scientist
- 1957 ยทJust My Luckas Gilbert Weaver
- 1957 ยทThe Man Without a Bodyas Leslie
- 1957 ยทThe Smallest Show on Earthas Actor in The Mystery of Hell Valley (uncredited)
- 1957 ยทTime Without Pityas Prison Chaplain
- 1957 ยทThe Film That Never Wasas
- 1956 ยทForeign Intrigueas Brown
- 1956 ยทPeril for the Guyas Mr. Ritter
- 1954 ยทSherlock Holmesas
- 1953 ยทSaadiaas Leader Mokhazenis
- 1953 ยทThe Clue of the Missing Apeas His Excellency
- 1953 ยทThe Sword and the Roseas Sir Edwin Caskoden
- 1952 ยทThe Hour of 13as Cummings
- 1952 ยทThe Cardas P. Shillitoe (uncredited)
- 1951 ยทHallmark Hall of Fameas Dr. Harrison
- 1950 ยทGolden Salamanderas Aribi
- 1937 ยทFarewell Againas Minor Role
- 1934 ยทTell Me If It Hurtsas Waiter
- Future ยทThe Man Who Came to Dieas Dr. Clarkson